This section is reserved for future use.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial Park honors the nation's third president and drafter of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826). Long known simply as Jefferson Park, the park received the memorial park designation in 1999, to distinguish it from a second park of the same name. This Jefferson Park was the creation of the Jefferson Park District, one of 22 park commissions consolidated into the Chicago Park District in 1934 when the park became part of the Chicago Park District’s portfolio. Established in 1920 to provide neighborhood parks for its rapidly-developing northwest side community, the Jefferson Park District began to purchase land for the park in 1921. Land acquisition continued through 1929, by which time, much of the park had been landscaped. In 1930, the park district constructed an athletic field and a fieldhouse designed by Clarence Hatzfeld. The brick fieldhouse is graced with several paintings, including an anonymous portrait Thomas Jefferson, a depiction of a Viking ship by Emil Biorn, and Columbus Sighting Land by L. Caracciolo.

 

Jefferson Park, situated at Long and Higgins Avenues in the heart of its community, swarms with activity year-round. Equipped with two baseball fields, one combination football/soccer field, three tennis courts, one playground and a water spray feature and a outdoor swimming pool with dressing facility, the 7.96 acre park offers plenty of outdoor recreation.

Inside the Jefferson Park fieldhouse, residents of all ages congregate to participate in arts, sports and social groups, such as both an active teen club.

The all-volunteer Citywide Orchestra practices at Jefferson Park and performs seasonal concerts for the community. Adults can also participate in making chamber music, while youth take piano, violin and cello lessons.

The park has regular arts and crafts classes, as well as special holiday workshops for children. Tumbling and gymnastics remain a mainstay at Jefferson Park, and its teams have won numerous awards in citywide competitions. Parents can also get their youngsters involved in preschool; Moms, Pops & Tots.